How to Propagate Blackberry Lily? Detailed Explanation of Common Propagation Methods

Blackberry lily is usually propagated by seeds and rhizomes. Seed propagation has a long production cycle but a high propagation coefficient, while rhizome propagation gives an early harvest and quick results but has a low propagation coefficient and can lead to germplasm degradation with long-term planting. Therefore, it is advisable to alternate the two methods in production. Let's take a look at the propagation methods of blackberry lily below!

Growth Habits of Blackberry Lily

Blackberry lily prefers warmth and sunlight, tolerates drought and cold, and has low soil requirements. It can be cultivated on hillsides and dry land. Fertile, loose, well-drained sandy loam on higher ground is best. Neutral loam or slightly alkaline soil is suitable. Low-lying land and saline-alkaline land should be avoided.

Rhizome Propagation of Blackberry Lily

1. Rhizome treatment: In late January, dig out the blackberry lily used for planting, select rhizomes that are robust, bright yellow, and free of pests and diseases, and cut them into 4 cm-long root segments each with 2-3 buds and some fibrous roots (properly trim excessively long fibrous roots to facilitate survival after planting). After the cuts heal, soak the seed rhizomes in a 50 ppm ABT No. 4 rooting powder solution for 3 hours before planting. This can promote the germination of dormant buds on the rhizomes and earlier emergence. Experiments have shown that treated seed rhizomes, compared with untreated ones, emerge 10 days earlier and the rhizome bud emergence rate increases by 30%.

2. Planting method: When planting blackberry lily, on the prepared seedbed surface, dig holes at a row spacing of 25-30 cm and a plant spacing of 20-25 cm, with a depth of 15 cm. The bottom of the hole should be level, and the subsoil should be loosened. Apply mixed fine soil into the prepared planting holes, then plant 1-2 segments of seed roots per hole, immediately cover with 6-7 cm of fine soil, press lightly and water thoroughly (preferably with decomposed human and animal manure water), then cover with fine soil level with the seedbed surface, and immediately cover with plastic film. Seedlings can emerge in about 50 days. At this time, promptly break the film to release the seedlings to prevent high temperatures from burning them.

Seed Propagation of Blackberry Lily

1. Seed collection: Usually from late September to early October, when the fruit shells of blackberry lily turn yellow and are about to split, cut them off together with the fruit stalks, place them in a ventilated indoor area to dry, and then thresh.

2. Germination treatment: Never expose the harvested seeds to the sun, otherwise the seed coat will become harder. Blackberry lily seeds have after-ripening characteristics and must complete physiological after-ripening under low-temperature and moist conditions. Seeds sown in spring must undergo low-temperature treatment to germinate. Mix seeds harvested in autumn with 3 times their volume of wet sand, dig a pit outdoors and bury them in it. The size and depth of the pit depend on the amount of seeds. Keep them moist and protect them from freezing. Dig them out the following spring for sowing. Seeds sown in autumn must be soaked in warm water at 40-50°C for 24 hours, then dried in the shade before sowing.

3. Sowing method: Blackberry lily seed propagation can be done by direct sowing or seedling transplanting. The sowing time varies depending on open-field or plastic film mulching conditions.

① Open-field direct sowing: Spring sowing is carried out around Qingming, and autumn sowing in September-October. Generally, furrow sowing is used. On the prepared seedbed surface, open furrows and set holes at a plant-row spacing of 25 cm × 30 cm, with a furrow depth of about 5 cm. The furrow bottom should be level and loose. Apply farmyard manure into each hole, cover with about 2 cm of fine soil, then sow 5-6 germinated seeds, cover with soil and press firm after sowing, water appropriately, and cover with grass to retain moisture and warmth. The seeding rate is 2-3 kg per mu. Seedlings can emerge in about 20 days after sowing.

② Open-field seedling raising: Spring sowing is carried out in March, and autumn sowing in September-October. Before sowing, first water the seedbed surface thoroughly. After the water drains, open transverse furrows at a row spacing of 20 cm, with a depth of 6 cm and a sowing width of 10 cm. Then evenly sow the germinated seeds into the furrows and cover with 5 cm of fine soil mixed with farmyard manure. Alternatively, scatter the previously prepared seeds into the seedbed and cover with 5-6 cm of fine fertilized soil. After sowing, press lightly, and cover with grass to retain moisture and warmth. The seeding rate is 8-10 kg per mu.

③ Heated seedling raising: Usually, to extend the growing period of blackberry lily in the sowing year, a small plastic arched shed can be used to increase temperature, allowing early sowing and early emergence. For seedling raising with a small plastic arched shed, conventional operations can be carried out in early to mid-January. First sow the seeds stored mixed with sand that have cracked into the seedbed and cover with a thin layer of soil, then spray warm water once each morning and evening. Seedlings can emerge in about 1 week. After emergence, strengthen fertilizer and water management, and by mid to late March they can be transplanted to the field.